Thirty Three Princeton Fire and Rescue Department Members Threaten to Quit Unless Chief is Replaced

(KNSI) — Thirty-three of the 36 Princeton Fire and Rescue Department members say they will quit if the chief is not replaced.

A letter to the Princeton City Council obtained by KNSI News says “frustrated members of the PFRD” have been trying for the last 15 months to address and correct life safety concerns, equipment safety issues, a hazardous workplace environment, poor leadership, and low morale issues. They say communication from the chief “has gone from poor to almost non-existent; to the point of isolation.” The members say they have reached out “many, many times” to Chief Ron Lawrence, City Administrator Michele McPherson and City Council Members to try to communicate and get some resolution for their concerns and say they have received “very little response and no measurable change.” They say those issues have left them “with only one choice,” and unless there is a change in leadership they will walk away from their positions as of midnight February 8th.

The members wrote that they are leaving something “that so many have put blood, sweat, and tears into” but are “unwilling to continue to work under the direction of Chief Ron Lawrence.”

The letter says the city has “failed to provide the tax paying citizens and the firefighters with the transparency, honesty, and safety warranted.”

According to firefighters, the move is “a long time coming.” In December, the department gave Chief Lawrence a vote of no confidence.

Lawrence has been in the position since 2018.

We have reached out for comment.

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